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Saturday, January 21, 2012

I’ve lived
in Paris about 11 months now… oh 8 months in a straight line and I’m coming up
on a pair of interesting anniversaries.
How has Paris affected me? How
have I affected Paris in my first year in the city? I’m sure that somewhere there is a great
cosmic tally, but lacking this, I can only strive to get the most out of and
put the most back into this city that I love.

Every year I
make a bold collection of New Year’s resolutions and I have done so this year
as well. The difference is that this
year, many of my resolutions are related directly to my new home and not just
to my own person. How does that
work? Well without further gilding the
lily, let me show you.

Paris
Resolutions (with possible observations)

Language: The French language has proved difficult for
me; surprisingly difficult. To improve
my social standing, increase my number of friends, reduce difficulties with
various negotiations, etc., I must improve my French greatly. Rosetta Stone just hasn’t done the trick and
I get weary of it now. Therefore, I
resolve, for 2012 to:

Take an
official classroom-based French course.

Improve my
French to a conversational level.

Watch more French films (or films dubbed into French).

Read at
least one adult book in French.

Cecelia - Crayon (original) - Sir Robyn - Paris 2012

Art: If you’ve followed my blog you know that art has recently become an important part of my day to day life, not just in the observance of it in museums, but in the creation of it as well. Last year I began taking “life classes” in which I attempt to create the likeness of a nude model in various poses from one week to the next. For this year:

I resolve to continue my art classes and master the pencil and try my hand at pastels and paints before the end of the year.

I resolve to become a “Friend of the Louvre” and visit at least once a month.

I resolve to see another gallery or special exhibit at least once a month.

Society: To truly be part of any place, one must have
friends. I’ve been fortunate since
moving to Paris in that I have made a few good friends in a hurry. I long to make more Parisian friends of
course, since my social life is a very important part of my overall life. Improving my French language skills will help,
but truly the bull must be taken by the horns to have a social life and I will
be very proactive this year. I resolve
to:

Host a
collection of parties and/or gatherings at my home or other arranged venues.

I will say
at least one time this year (possibly in French), “Open another magnum.”

The pyramid at the Louvre glows on NYE
in anticipation of the New Year.

Paperwork:
New residents of France have one year to get a French driver’s license
and then I’m told that they have great difficulties if they let this year
pass. Also approaching is the time where
I must perform my first annual renewal of my Carte de Sejour (my resident card)
to continue to live in Paris for another year.
I will:

Acquire a
French driver’s licence.

Renew my Carte de Sejour.

Miscellaneous: The following are
Paris life related… and will make sense as you read them. Lastly, I resolve to:

Enter myself
in a local fencing competition.

Eat in a
Michelin rated restaurant (maybe the Tour D’argent across the river from me?).

Take a bus
tour into the Champagne region and taste all that I can taste.

Well that is
all my friends. It is a lot for one
year, but I think I can do it all and a few other things. My the rest of the year bring you happiness
and prosperity. Thank you for looking
in. Please post any questions in the
comments box below and Please Please Please, if you have a click in your mouse
that you can spare, share or like this post!